Statement from Ekrem İmamoğlu and Fatih Erbakan

Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB) and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu visited New Welfare Party (YRP) Chairman Fatih Erbakan.

Following the meeting held at the Erbakan Foundation Istanbul Provincial Headquarters in Fatih, İmamoğlu and Erbakan made statements.

Stating that he had "informed Erbakan about the trustee process taking place in Esenyurt and other cities," İmamoğlu said, "I expressed that what happened before and after the trustee appointments is in no way compatible with this country's democracy, law, rule of law, or human rights, that it truly makes us hang our heads in shame and causes great sorrow for our nation, and that it leads to a loss of our people's faith and trust regarding the right to vote and be elected."

Arguing that "the scale of the process has been escalated with the trustee appointments in Mardin, Batman, and Halfeti," İmamoğlu said, "Trustee appointments can happen. In some cases, mayors may be removed from office. But the subsequent practices are even worse. There is a municipal council, but the council has no authority. The council can elect a mayor or deputy mayor from among its own members."

Erbakan, for his part, noted that they held a meeting with İmamoğlu regarding "recent developments, especially in municipalities and trustee appointments."

Stating that they share İmamoğlu's concerns, Erbakan said, "What we as the YRP say is that if a mayor commits a crime, there will of course be consequences. However, the essential point is that when a crime is committed, it must be established by a judicial decision with a final verdict, and if this mayor is subsequently removed from office, a deputy mayor should be elected through a vote by the municipal council members. We believe this would be more appropriate in terms of respect for the national will and compliance with the law."

Erbakan noted that they have submitted a legislative proposal to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) regarding this issue.

News Source: 12punto